I have three strimmers. Two ordinary electrically powered and one with a two-stroke engine.

The first of the ordinary ones was forever breaking its plastic whip - or whatever they call it, and it was difficult to re-thread it. I gave up and bought a different one and encountered the same problem.
In desperation I bought the one with the internal combustion engine. It has the facility to use a plastic cord/whip or a proper cutting blade.

The handlebar is not adjustable and it's virtually impossible to comfortably and conveniently hold the thing at a required lateral angle.

The rotating assembly which holds either the cord or the blade broke.

I'm getting rather tired of this.

Does anyone know of a decently made strimmer with proper cutting blade (I'm no longer prepared to fight and fiddle with a plastic cord), and is battery operated?

I have only used some of the older battery operated ones and keeping the batteries charged was much more aggravation than fooling with the line, and I have never used any with a blade that cut without getting all bound up with weeds and vines. To me the purpose of using a string trimmer is lost when you attach a blade.
My best solution was to buy a commercial string trimmer, that was powerful yet lightweight. I paid almost three hundred dollars maybe more for it, but it has been worth every penny. I have had it for years and had it rebuilt one time. I really had a need for a commercial line trimmer when I bought this, now I have very little trimming to do. I only have about a one acre suburban lot to maintain now.
I think if you only have a little trimming to do almost anything will suffice, if you have a separate edger. So maybe a battery operated one might be perfect for many people.

I've never heard the term strimmer.

Bonehead said:I've never heard the term strimmer.

There are grass strimmers and brush strimmers. Google knows about them !

Oh now I do have experience with some of those line trimmers on wheels, they will work you to death. They are awful, they tend to pull to one side and on a slope next to a lake or pond they will keep you on your toes trying to keep it out of the water. Same thing when using it next to a fence, they pull to one side. I think the dealer would almost have given it to me to take it off his hands. He had special ordered it for someone, and after they used it one time, brought it back.

My internet search brought up all sorts of weedwackers, but it sounds like perhaps what you are thinking of has wheels? I have a small battery powered weedwacker with an optional wheel that I love, but I've never heard it called a strimmer.

Wikipedia re-directed me to 'string trimmer,' defined as: A string trimmer, also called a "weed-whip", "whipper-snipper", "weed-whacker", a "weed eater", a "line trimmer" (in Australia) or a "strimmer" (in the UK and Ireland), is a tool which uses a flexible monofilament line instead of a blade for cutting grass and other plants near objects, or on steep or irregular terrain. It consists of a cutting tip at the end of a long shaft with a handle.

I've also never heard of a whipper-snipper, but like the sound of it!

(Of no particular importance -- I don't use Google as either a search engine or a verb.)

I'm with Larry (seed fork) on the need to get the best equipment that you can.
The last one I bought came from Lowes, I got one of those good ones that take regular gasoline.. Those two stroke engines are real polluters....

Stringing it is easy... Haven't had the line break off inside the head yet, and I use it on blackberry briars!

Seems like its by the same company that makes those good chainsaws...
Ok googled it...
Husqvarna.

While I know what you mean about PIA pull cords, and off balance equipment and back pain....
Suggest taking ibuprofen, and be sure to wear safety goggles.

If I use the big-boy wacker, I'll wear goggles. For my baby battery wacker, unless I'm planning an extended run, I usually just rely on my billed cap and squinty eyes for protection. I know that's bad, but it's reality. I guess I should pack goggles in my tool bucket. Or even sunglasses. Shrug.

Bonehead said:I've never heard the term strimmer.

String + trimmer = strimmer. I also hadn't heard of it before, but I found it a bit obvious. I like the term.

Sounds like you've had bad luck with the strimmers you got; there's some really cool semi-auto models out there that'll make the string feeding process a breeze.

I did a bit of research before buying a cordless Black+Decker. I got it from Amazon for a hundred bucks and it's served its purpose beyond well, I'd definitely say it was a good purchase.

A bit of research before going for the buy will go a long way. There are a bunch of good reviews out there, the one I found was pretty complete, but there's really enough out there to have your pick.

Best one made is by Stiel. They have the best chainsaws too. Hubby won't buy any other brand of either one.

I believe the Stiel is well worth the cost for large properties, if you take care of it properly. The little cheapies work fine for grass, but won't take the heavier line required for large weeds. The trick with either is to slow it down when working close to obstructions like fences, and you won't break the string...or launch rocks at bullet speed.

Hubby had LOTS of electric fence to trim. He's pretty much "given up" and puts chemical stuff under the wire. He'd have been at it ALL the time if he didn't.

Its spelled "Stihl" and they are proof you get what you pay for, one aspect oft overlooked is the lack of vibration. The other is replacement parts. Before you buy, go on a site like ebay and see how common or easy it is to find spare parts. Another little known aspect of the Stihl lineup is that the trimmer head angle relative to the shaft can be ordered in different degrees for more comfort or usability as you prefer.

One more type is the new battery powered trimmers. I have the echo 58v. They are more than powerful enough to compare to a gas trimmer. I have a stihl 2 stroke lightweight called an fs85x, the x denoting a hollow and therefore lighter shaft. I will use the 2 stroke in the garden when I am literally cutting down to bare the earth to get rid of weeds. That is the only time the battery trimmer is not preferred in my yard.

I trust the Stiel is certainly justified regardless of the expense for expansive properties, in the event that you deal with it appropriately. The little cheapies work fine for grass, yet won't take the heavier line required for expansive weeds. The trap with either is to back it off when working near checks like the wall, and you won't break the string...or dispatch rocks at shot speed.

New to the forum and loving it
I have an Echo srm 222 strimmer and it has been literally flawless in every way.
I owned 2 electric and one 2 stroke strimmer previously and faffing around with the line and getting the 2 stroke to start almost put me off the whole concept of a strimmer.

I have a video review on it if anyone is interested but I cannot post a link unfortunately. Sorry

Go to youtube.
Search for my Channel 'tothegarage'
Video is called 'Best Strimmer ECHO srm review'